Vape Pens and Vape Tanks Require Different Eliquids

Long-term vapers usually graduate from a vape pen to a tank setup in order to get more satisfaction out of vaping. Additionally, many first-time vapers are starting with tanks because they see them as better, either because of their higher price points or because of Internet research. Both setups require different eliquids in order to get the best experience out of vaping.

Eliquids and vape pen use

Recent ex-smokers usually choose a vape pen because it simulates the shape and mouth-to-lung inhalation of a cigarette. With mouth-to-lung, you take the vapour into your mouth, and then inhale it into your lungs. Since they have a smaller coil and wick than a tank-style device, they don’t have the wicking space to deal with the higher viscosity of an eliquid with a high concentration of vegetable glycerine(VG). As a result, a high VG liquid in a pen can result in dry burns, which are unpleasant to vape.

Vape pen users are also more likely to have just come off smoking, which means they generally are starting at higher nicotine levels. Also, they are likely to cough more once they quit smoking completely - this isn’t a result of vaping, merely the lungs clearing out. The “quit smoking” cough will happen, sometimes for a few weeks, no matter which form of nicotine replacement therapy you choose.

Eliquids and vape tank setups

Eventually, vaping with a pen won’t give you enough satisfaction to get off tobacco, although they are useful to start to ramp down your nicotine levels. Tank vaping offers more flavour and, with a higher VG liquid, more clouds than a vape pen, adding to the experience. While there are a small number of exceptions, tank kits offer a direct-to-lung vape that the user does not hold in the mouth.

A direct to lung vape is best described as the kind of action you take with an asthma medication inhaler, or a hookah. This can present issues with people who are still vaping higher nicotine concentrations - if you vape a higher nicotine juice with a tank you’ll end up in a coughing fit. Higher propylene glycol (PG) concentrations can burn the throat more on the way down as well, so more VG should be used.

If you require more nicotine than the recommended lower amount, use a higher voltage tank. The lower the ohms, the more of a direct-to-lung hit you’re going to get.

Recommended eliquids: Go with 70-100% VG and nicotine concentrations of 3-6 mg. Avoid high PG and nicotine when using vape tanks.

It is our prediction that in short order, vape pens will begin to be seen as undesirable as the original electronic cigarettes, as people experience more flavour with a tank setup. This satisfaction with the flavour over traditional cigarettes is one of the primary reasons smokers switch to vaping over other forms of nicotine replacement therapy. Beginners will simply choose tank setups with higher voltage instead to get started, unless they prefer mouth-to-lung vaping, in which case they will stick with the pen. Direct-to-lung vaping is often touted as the method of choice for more seasoned vapers, but it can take a while to replace the mouth-to-lung behaviour associated with smoking cigarettes.

For a visual explanation of mouth-to-lung versus direct-to-lung vaping, view the following video: